Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Apr 13, 2009 14:28:09 GMT -5
As if I don't have enough things to keep me busy this summer, the grant I co-wrote was funded...I'm going to be traveling to Mozambique (I think it's the rainy season, oh joy). This is basically a short-term planning grant to fund a few trips back and forth for myself and colleagues to assess the situation there and improve their anatomy curriculum, which is the weakest part of their medical education right now. It'll be a very interesting experience. This will be quite a challenge to help them develop a curriculum suitable for their needs, but the first step is to fully assess what those needs are...I expect them to be very unique and challenging. On the fun side, it's a lot like starting with a blank slate, so if something seems like it will be a good way to teach, we don't have administrators to fight to implement it...they know their current curriculum isn't working, so no fights from "old-timers" resisting change either (they don't have any "old-timers" yet; the school is too new).
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Post by MacBeth on Apr 13, 2009 14:29:44 GMT -5
This is wonderfiul, Calluna. Not only a great opportunity, but also a vlidation of what you bring to the table in your field.
You should be very proud !!
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Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Apr 13, 2009 16:41:27 GMT -5
Thanks Beth. I just wish the travel wouldn't be coming so soon after moving. I'm still stressing about the process of getting myself to the other side of the town, and adding getting myself to the other side of the world to my to-do list is not something I really want to be thinking about just now.
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Post by MacBeth on Apr 13, 2009 17:31:15 GMT -5
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans
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Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Apr 13, 2009 17:46:43 GMT -5
Yes, that saying is making a lot of sense right now.
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Post by Georgina on Apr 13, 2009 18:22:45 GMT -5
That's fantastic, Calluna! Great news. What a fascinating and challenging project. And, too, Mozambique. Very exciting. I'll bet you learn a lot. But, yes, jeez. As if you didn't have enough going on right now. That's pretty tight timing with your move. Good thing you're young and healthy. ;D
Congratulations.
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Post by Rob on Apr 13, 2009 19:50:20 GMT -5
Helpful hint: Stay away from pirates, and definitely don't get between them and Seals.
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Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Apr 13, 2009 19:50:44 GMT -5
I'm wondering if I'll still be young and healthy by the time the summer is over. I haven't broken the news to Ember yet that soon after she moves to a new house, I'm going to leave the country for 2 weeks. But, I think I know someone who will take care of Ember for me now. One of my coworkers has two autistic children, and they NEED to go on daily outings...anywhere...and she likes cats and thinks her daughters will do well with my goofy cat. Apparently, they don't do well with animals that will want to approach them and get too close (no lap cats for them), but the way Ember plays might be compatible with their needs, so they might be able to do outings to my house to play with Ember. I'll try having them over before then to see if it works.
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Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Apr 13, 2009 19:58:46 GMT -5
Helpful hint: Stay away from pirates, and definitely don't get between them and Seals. I don't know what I'd do without your helpful advice. I'm not looking forward to the list of vaccinations either. At least I know I'm current on measles shots (when I was a grad student and they had some rubella outbreaks, they required boosters for all students...I couldn't find my vaccination records, so had to get two instead of just one shot for MMR). Measles is pretty common there. So is malaria...my collaborator already cautioned me that when I leave, take a pack of malaria medication with me and immediately get tested if any sort of fever starts within two weeks of returning home. Considering I'm going there to help fix problems in their med school curriculum, I was relieved to learn they have one US trained physician at the clinic associated with the med school...that was apparently a requirement enforced by whoever funded the clinic.
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Post by Georgina on Apr 13, 2009 22:42:45 GMT -5
Were you planning on sailing there?
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Post by MacBeth on Apr 14, 2009 15:47:58 GMT -5
For our cartoon fan:
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Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Apr 14, 2009 19:29:07 GMT -5
LOL, Beth!
I thought it was going to be the rainy season when I got there, but found out that it's not...it'll be well into the dry season by the time I arrive. That's REALLY good, since as I'm looking into climate, it's about the same temperature year round, just the rainy season has all the humidity to make it miserable.
I'm hoping I WON'T be sailing there. I really do hope my flights all land on...land. I would fly to South Africa and then hop a small plane (I wonder how small...I've heard scary things about small planes in Africa) to Mozambique. Maybe I'll tack a few days to the trip to stay in South Africa too since I fly through there anyway. Too bad I'm going now, when I'm in the midst of spending most of my savings on a house downpayment, otherwise I would be adding some vacation time tacked onto the trip. Well, hopefully there will be more trips in the future if all goes well on this one.
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wheelspinner
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Post by wheelspinner on Apr 16, 2009 5:27:25 GMT -5
Congrats Calluna. That's a huge achievement, and you have the opportunity to make a real difference in the world.
Have you by any chance seen the documentary The English Surgeon? It's about a neurosurgeon who visited Ukraine for a conference, was stunned at their poor facilities and ended up coming back year after year to help out. There may be a few parallels with what you will be experiencing.
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Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Apr 17, 2009 18:32:28 GMT -5
I haven't seen that movie, WS. If I get a chance, I'll see if I can find it and rent it.
I am hoping I will return year after year...my goal really is to develop an ongoing partnership with the university in Mozambique and not just show up once and never return. And, yes, the reason I got involved in this project is it seemed like a way to really make a difference.
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Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Jun 28, 2009 18:27:15 GMT -5
Oskar was asking why I'm going to Mozambique, so now that the trip is soon approaching, I'm resurrecting this thread.
I got all my vaccinations Friday (except for typhoid, which is an oral vaccine taken over 4 doses). The only thing I didn't get was rabies vaccine, because it's really expensive and I'm not planning on working with animals there...I know enough to stay away from stray dogs and other critters. After reading more about it, it doesn't save you from needing to get the awful post-exposure shots anyway, so there doesn't seem to be much point in it.
Every time I read more about the place, I just find out more bad things. Oy vey!
I finally have tickets, I leave on July 25 and return on Aug 6. On the way there, we spend a night in Johannesburg, where I'm cautioned that luggage pilfering is common at the airport...oh joy.
Once in Mozambique, it sounds like as soon as dusk begins to arrive, it's time to run for cover. At dusk and dawn, it's the malaria-carrying mosquitoes that first arrive, and then after dark, the muggers. Though, from those who have been there before, the bigger risk at night is simply falling in a hole in the sidewalk since there is nothing covering holes. They drive on the left side of the road there...or the sidewalk...or anyplace else they feel like driving. But of course that's only in the city where there ARE roads. I do have insurance to cover airlifting me out in case of emergency though.
It's going to be an adventure!
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Post by Georgina on Jun 28, 2009 18:55:23 GMT -5
Wow. It certainly will be an adventure and an education, I'm sure. Deep breath. It'll be an amazing experience, I'm sure. And you'll have people. They'll watch out for you. Just stay far away from creepy crawly things and slimy slithery things and um, yeah. It'll be great! You'll see.
I'd say, "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" but I'm afraid you'd bonk me with the nerf bat for that one. ;D
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Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Jun 28, 2009 20:57:27 GMT -5
LOL! I think that's the premise behind the typhoid live vaccine. When I saw that it was a live vaccine, that made me nervous. But, I no longer need to worry about meningitis outbreaks among the students, since I'm now vaccinated against three strains of that, and even got a polio booster. The scary thing about the polio booster is that the reason for it is because there isn't any polio in the US anymore, nobody really knows if the childhood vaccinations we all get really last since there's no challenge to it...so anyone going to a country that still has polio gets a booster. But, so far, no side effects of any of the vaccinations...at least none I could tell. No sore arms anyway. Some could have given me a headache or tiredness or some lower GI issues, but I was PMSing anyway, and all those I experience as part of PMS too. If anything, the migraine I usually get at this time of the month was milder than usual (just a few hours when I woke up in the morning yesterday instead of lasting all day long). And, yes, the person who went before has assured me that they are very hospitable there, and will ensure we are well taken care of. The university is used to visitors from other countries, and our main contact there has recently moved his family to the US, and the other person we're working with is originally from Italy, so we won't be offending anyone by being picky about food to avoid food-borne diseases....they both should understand. One of the physicians in the international health office recommended tying a ribbon on the water faucets in the hotel when we're there so we don't forget not to use the water, and the nurse recommended practicing brushing our teeth using a cup of water for about a week before leaving so we get in the habit of doing it and don't forget and make the same mistake she did of rinsing the toothbrush with tap water out of habit and getting sick (she did that in Guatamala). Of course they all had the same advice that if we get sick, DON'T go to the hospital there. Um, yeah. I think I had an inkling of a clue that their medical training might be lacking there. So, I've been gathering up supplies for a substantial first aid kit to take along anyplace we go. The hardest part is getting everything that's a liquid or ointment in small enough sizes to fit it into the TSA approved quart bag since I don't want to include any part of the first aid kit in my checked luggage now that I'm told there are luggage pilferers in Johannesburg. On the plus side, it's a fun excuse to go shopping. I've picked up a few pairs of the really lightweight, quick-drying pants and long-sleeved shirts that have buttons to roll up the sleeves. Now I know why everyone in photos in places like that looks like they are wearing a uniform...it's the only styles you really can get of very lightweight clothing that is long pants and long sleeves for keeping away mosquitoes. I still need to find a big floppy hat. But, I figure if I can pack these clothes basically made for hiking/camping that dry quickly, I can get away with packing only half as many clothes and bring along a little packet of detergent to wash them all once in a hotel sink to wear twice. I want to try to pack as light as possible to have most of my clothes and essentials fit in carry-on luggage. Need to leave room to bring home pretty shirts or skirts I buy there.
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Post by gael on Jul 18, 2009 16:02:46 GMT -5
hehe. My whole life has been flitting from one country like that to another. Even now, my hubby is working in Africa. I stay home mostly now, so that we both can have a semblance of normalcy for bouts of time between his commutes. This lifestyle has left me extremely patient, cautious and skeptical. I found I could never learn enough in one place to get me by in the next! it's very humbling. I do admire you for going to help. This is needed so badly in so many places. I will be interested very much in hearing what you see. bon voyage
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Post by Georgina on Jul 18, 2009 17:38:10 GMT -5
One week to go, Calluna!
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Post by Georgina on Jul 21, 2009 9:15:20 GMT -5
Calluna! The countdown is on ;D How did your shopping go? You all set?
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Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Jul 22, 2009 17:15:45 GMT -5
Yep, I leave Saturday. I have an assortment of lightweight, quick-drying pants and shirts that can be converted in one way or another to shorts and short-sleeved shirts so I could minimize packing or figuring out what to lug around all day. As pants and shirts, they all look respectably business-casual, and as shorts and short-sleeved shirts, comfy for hot days when I'm traveling or sight-seeing (but I'm not sure yet if that's okay attire in the cities there). And, after I return, I'll be all set with clothes for camping and hiking! ;D
I still need to spray everything down with skeeter repellent.
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Post by MacBeth on Jul 23, 2009 5:08:52 GMT -5
What a grand adventure !! Learn much, teach much, see much.....and know we will miss you while you are gone
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Calluna
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Post by Calluna on Jul 23, 2009 8:56:50 GMT -5
Thanks Beth. I think that summarizes the goal well.
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Post by Georgina on Jul 23, 2009 9:49:10 GMT -5
And take very, very good care of yourself. Enjoy your adventure!
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Jul 23, 2009 23:55:16 GMT -5
I hope it's a wonderful trip for you, Calluna. I just dropped you a PM.
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